Rugby World Cup Odds: Who Will Be The 2023 Tournament’s Top Try-Scorer?
With the Rugby World Cup (RWC) just about to get up and running, the best betting sites are asking who is most likely to follow in the footsteps of Josh Adams and become the top try-scorer for the 2023 tournament.
Back in 2019, Adams crossed the whitewash on seven occasions as Wales ultimately finished fourth at the RWC in Japan.
That included a hat-trick in a 29-17 triumph over Fiji, the Swansea native registered five tries in four pool stage appearances.
He also claimed a five-pointer that put them on level terms with South Africa in the 65th minute of their semi-final showdown in Yokohama, before a Handre Pollard penalty squeezed the Springboks over the line.
Adams also dotted down in their bronze final encounter against New Zealand, but it was in vain as the All Blacks comfortably emerged victorious on a score of 40-17.
Nevertheless, it was quite the feat for Adams to emerge from a packed field that included South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi and Kotaro Matsushima of Japan to be crowned the chief World Cup try-scorer.
Relatively new to international rugby back then, Adams had shown his form during that season’s Six Nations Championship – scoring three tries to help Wales secure a Grand Slam victory.
He has gone on to add nine more five-pointers to his Welsh tally, but couldn’t add to his haul in this spring’s Six Nations and didn’t find his way over the opposition line during a sole outing in his country’s recent World Cup warm-up series.
This explains why he is well down the list of potential top try-scorers at the 2023 edition, with odds of 40/1 with Coral on Adams being the most clinical finisher in France over the coming weeks.
The question therefore is, who are UK bookmakers expecting to assume the mantle this time around?
Penaud Leading The List Of Try-Scoring Contenders
Despite having just 44 senior international caps to his name, recent Bordeaux Begles recruit Damian Penaud has an impressive 29 tries in a French jersey.
In this year’s Six Nations alone, he crossed the whitewash five times to mark himself out as the prime finisher in the competition.
He was also joint top try-scorer in the 2022 Six Nations, which saw France claiming a Grand Slam in considerable style.
There is certainly no disputing his form at present, and it is little surprise he is favourite with the bookies to score more tries than anyone else in the World Cup.
As the start of the tournament approaches, the best betting sites for rugby union have Penaud at 7/1 to produce his customary French flair and be the tournament’s main marksman.
Big Things Expected Of Jordan On His World Cup Debut
Creeping up just behind him is someone who will be making their World Cup debut, but has taken so seamlessly to international rugby, that it is anticipated he will be in for a big tournament.
Currently on the books at Super Rugby outfit the Crusaders, New Zealand’s Will Jordan has an astonishing 23 tries from just 25 appearances for the All Blacks.
In addition to claiming a hat-trick against the United States of America in 2021, he also came away with an astonishing haul of five tries in a rout of Tonga earlier in the same year.
Whether he will be able to make hay in the same fashion at the World Cup remains to be seen, but his attacking prowess has led Spreadex to also rate him at 8/1.
Telea And Kolbe Also In Contention For Individual Scoring Honours
While his international colleague Mark Telea only emerged on the international scene last November, his tally of three tries in five All Blacks games is getting people in the southern hemisphere nation excited.
He is as low as 15/2 with some bookmakers to announce his arrival on the World Cup stage and become the tournament’s top try-scorer, but he is also available at 10/1with William Hill.
He may have only made his senior 15s international bow in the lead-up to the last World Cup – having represented the Springboks 7s with considerable distinction before that – but Cheslin Kolbe made his mark in Japan four years ago.
After scoring a brace of tries in a pool stage win over Italy, the diminutive utility back also crossed the whitewash in their 32-12 final triumph against South Africa.
His current tally of 12 tries in 26 games for the Springboks is solid rather than spectacular, but Kolbe is a livewire presence who has a clinical edge if he is given enough room to work in.
With that in mind, Unibet are offering 14/1 on him scoring more tries than the rest of the contenders at the World Cup.
Lowe Hoping To Deliver The Goods For Adopted Nation
Back in 2019, James Lowe’s main commitment was to provincial side Leinster with the New Zealander not yet eligible to represent Ireland through the residency rule.
However, that all changed in November 2020 and the Nelson man has become a regular presence for his adopted nation under Andy Farrell.
As well as having 50 tries to his name in 72 appearances for Leinster, Lowe has 10 tries in 21 caps for Ireland.
He dotted down against Wales, France and Scotland this spring to help the Green Army claim a Six Nations Grand Slam.
The further Ireland progresses in the tournament, the more chance there is that Lowe could be the tournament’s top try-scorer at 18/1 with Bet UK.
Clarke And Arendse Amongst List Of Outsiders
For those who are looking for an outside bet, there are odds of 20/1 on New Zealand’s Caleb Clarke available on betting apps.
Elsewhere, you’ll also see a price of 20/1 on Joe Cokanasiga of England and with 11 tries in 10 caps thus far for South Africa, Kurt-Lee Arendse is worthy of consideration at a best price of 18/1.